Multiple launcher for toy tops



Dec. 27, 1960 J. A. SCHUSTRIN 2,966,004

MULTIPLE LAUNCHER FOR TOY TOPS Filed Oct. 13, 1958 INVENTOR JOSEPH A.SCHUSTRIN ATT RNEY United States Patent MULTIPLE LAUNCHER FOR TOY TOPSJoseph A. Schustrin, 1872 Hudson Blvd., Jersey City, NJ.

Filed Oct. 13, 1958, Ser. No. 767,036

1 Claim. (CI. 46-69) The present invention relates to top spinningdevices, and more particularly to a spinning device which is capable ofsimultaneously setting a plurality of tops into spinning motion, and,also, of launching the tops so as to spin in a selected pattern on thetop receiving surface, thereby to provide a fascinating and amusing toy.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a toplaunching device which releases one or more tops upon operation of aconvenient handle. This handle, which is easily grasped for operation bya child, is in two parts. A simple plunger and a finger piece or handleproper. The mechanism of the top launching device is of such a characteras to be sturdy so as to serve as a toy. Mechanical toys which are notsimple in construction and rugged have a very short useful life. Thelaunching device is capable of receiving one or more of the usual typeof spring operated top.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a novelmultiple launcher for toy tops.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel topspinning device having means for applying force to the stem of a top toeflect its release from its associated spring drive socket.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel top spinningdevice having an easily grasped operating hand piece for launching atop.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel top spinningdevice having means to enable detachment of a spring drive sockettherefrom.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel topspinning device having a self-restoring spring action.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will, of course,become apparent and immediately suggest themselves to those skilled inthe art to which the invention is directed from a reading of thefollowing specification in connection with the accompanying drawing inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross section of a device embodying the inventionwith a number of tops in place;

2,966,004 Patented Dec. 27, 1960 Fig. 2 is a similar view showing thetops in the process of being ejected;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the device with the tops removed; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a top.

Referring to the drawing, the sockets 1 are of the usual known typehaving an internal torsion spring the end 21 of which appears in thedrawing. A spring pressed plunger 22 extends from the socket to beengaged by the end 23 (Fig. 4) of one of the cam tracks in the upperface of a top 24. The latter has the usual stem 26 which is rotatablyreceived in a socket 1. As the top is rotated with its stem in a socket,the plunger 22 rides in successive cam tracks and when the spring istightly wound the plunger engages the end 23 of a cam track. This is theusual and popular type of toy top.

The spinning device of this invention has a lower plate 2 which receivesthe sockets 1. The sockets 1 are held in the lower plate 2 by means ofpins and bayonet slots 3. The sockets may be removed for individual use.

The lower plate 2 is provided with a tubular guide 4 terminating in ahand grip 5. The latter is easy to grasp. A pressure device 6 in theform of a plunger slides within the guide 4 and has a cross pin 7engaging the upper plate 8. The two plates are cylindrically flanged totelescope and a spring 9 keeps the two plates separated. Guide pins 10are provided to prevent relative rotation of the plates.

The mode of operation of the disclosed device is thought to be readilyunderstood from the foregoing description and an inspection of thedrawing. However, it will be briefly explained. In operation, thesockets are part of the lower plate and the tops placed in position andindividually wound by the user, after which the upper plate is pressedinto contact with the stems of all the tops causing them to be launchedat one time.

What is claimed is:

A multiple top launcher comprising a bottom plate, said plate havingbayonet connecting means to receive a plurality of top-spinning sockets,a tube secured to said plate and rising therefrom, a hand grip at thetop of said tube, a top plate, spring means acting to separate saidplates, guide pins for said plates, a rod in said tube, said rodterminating in a thumb-piece adjacent said hand grip, and a bar securedin said rod and engaging said top plate, said hand grip and said thumbpiece cooperating upon manual operation to bring said plates together tocause a plurality of stem tops engaged in said sockets to be spun andlaunched simultaneously.

Wetzell May 2, 1933 Neilson Apr. 7, 1953

